Balloons take flight during the first day of the Animas Valley Balloon Rally north of Durango.
Hot air balloons begin to inflate early Friday morning during the Animas Valley Balloon Rally near the intersection of U.S. Highway 550 and Meadows Road north of Durango. About 15 balloons floated south down the valley several miles before landing. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Hot air balloons begin to inflate early Friday morning during the Animas Valley Balloon Rally near the intersection of U.S. Highway 550 and Meadows Road north of Durango. About 15 balloons floated south down the valley several miles before landing. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Mike Coffman holds on to a balloon as it inflates early Friday morning during the Animas Valley Balloon Rally north of Durango. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
A Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad train goes under hot air balloons during the Animas Valley Balloon Rally on Friday morning north of Durango. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Rick Schmidt of Mancos prepares to take to the air with his balloon Friday morning during the Animas Valley Balloon Rally north of Durango. About 15 balloons floated south down the valley for several miles before landing. Launches will be held at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Hot air balloons in the Animas Valley Balloon Rally float south Friday morning as they look for an open field to land. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Several people took their first hot air balloon ride early Friday morning during the Animas Valley Balloon Rally. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Volunteers help inflate Rick Schmidt’s balloon early Friday morning during the Animas Valley Balloon Rally north of Durango. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Hot air balloons begin to inflate early Friday morning during the Animas Valley Balloon Rally near the intersection of U.S. Highway 550 and Meadows Road north of Durango. About 15 balloons floated south down the valley several miles before landing. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Rick Schmidt of Mancos prepares to take to the air with his balloon Friday morning during the Animas Valley Balloon Rally north of Durango. About 15 balloons floated south down the valley for several miles before landing. Launches will be held at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Hot air balloons inflate early Friday morning during the Animas Valley Balloon Rally. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Hot air balloons inflate early Friday morning during the Animas Valley Balloon Rally. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
